Based on what I've read, the United Center seemed to have a really good offer for DePaul basketball. I would've taken the deal if I were DePaul...

Weren't they offered free rent with the thought being that having them in the UC would keep concerts from going to the new DePaul stadium?

Isn't DePaul out of the Big East this next year?

Yes & no. The current Big East is no more, but DePaul, Georgetown, St. John's, Seton Hall, Villanova, Providence College & Marquette will create a new basketball-themed conference complete with the Big East name...

In other words they will continue to get smoked by every team in the conference.

I think there's also strong opposition to build a new DePaul arena around McCormick Place, too.

City of Chicago? Rahm? Takes the Arie Crown maintenance $$$ off the books, probably not

Attaching a 14K seat arena to McCormick would be a great for this city.
-First & second round NCAA games

-Concerts

-Hyatt Hotel attachable,,,,get a second hotle on site with this new facility

-Plenty of additional space to populate with REAL eating and drinking establishments

-Parking for 6,000+ cars....TRAIN right to the Doorstep! Walk to Michigan Ave

And the idea of DePaul basketball, of all things, turning fucking McCormick Place into some bustling ball of commerce and nightlife. It's a convention center, and our convention industry has been decimated by onerous hotel taxes and unions being shitheads. But a college basketball program that threw its towel halfway across Lake Michigan is going to justify slapping up another arena--in addition to the United Center, Rosemont Horizon, UIC Pavilion, Sears Centre, place where Loyola plays, and whatever else we have--and accompanying Hyatt, restaurants, boutique shopping, and more, all in the lovely party waiting to happen that is Cermak/MLK?

[hawk].........awright![/hawk]

Only one place I can think of in the City that loses on this deal.

Curious you are incorrect on almost every level of your thoughts here, thus don't have the time to address each of them. But, creating an entertainment/sports facility attached to the 2M SF expo center creates a facility in the CBD area with cabs and access to downtown. I guess you have never left the UC looking for a cab...did you get one of the 20? or if you want to take a walk to one of the bars in the West loop, you will probably make it alive, probably.

I agree with everything you said except the bolded portion. The West Loop is fine now. I walk around there all the time, even late at night, and have no fear of anything happening to me. This is not the same area as it was in the 90's or even 10 years ago.

That's what really puzzles me about the lack of development around the UC. With the emergence of the Hawks, and the area being completely gentrified, there's no reason to not build some bars/restaurants around the stadium. Is this just Jerry not wanting to give up the parking revenue?

You are just tired from having to deal with the Beer Bistro and the fact they don't want the boards business.

I'd just like to be able to get a drink somewhere that isn't 5 or 6 blocks from the damn stadium. It's ridiculous. Even the Billy Goat, which is absolutely terrible, I would consider that to be too far away for the average UC visitor.

Yeah the Billy Goat blows. Did they ever do anything with that property where the Taco Bell was or is that just abandoned still?

I agree with everything you said except the bolded portion. The West Loop is fine now. I walk around there all the time, even late at night, and have no fear of anything happening to me. This is not the same area as it was in the 90's or even 10 years ago.

That's what really puzzles me about the lack of development around the UC. With the emergence of the Hawks, and the area being completely gentrified, there's no reason to not build some bars/restaurants around the stadium. Is this just Jerry not wanting to give up the parking revenue?

Wait a minute, I'm lost. That quote is attributed to me, but it's not something I said (arguing with myself), and it's not anywhere in the thread to have been quoted. I'm lost. Help me here.

There's a bunch of stuff within your post, and it's not quoted material. It seemed strange while I was reading it too. Not sure where it came from.